Page 16: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2021)

Government Update

EQUALITY

The availability of quali? ed males is failing to meet the personnel needs of the maritime sector. More women are being attracted to maritime careers. This is an excellent development but will require some cultural adjustment for many men. Get over it! Women are just as capable as men and ask only for proper training and equal opportunity for themselves and attitude adjustment on the part of their male counterparts.

© ismotionprem /AdobeStock

AIR EMISSIONS © Igor Groshev /AdobeStock

For many years, air emissions from ships were largely ig- or ammonia are underway, but it will take years to develop nored. Not that long ago, some ports in Alaska caused a stir the infrastructure needed worldwide by the maritime industry. when they established visible smoke standards for visiting Research is also underway regarding fuel cells. Some vessels cruise ships. That was followed by adoption of MARPOL An- are being built with battery power, but this is largely limited to nex VI to closely regulate SOx and NOx emissions, particularly those that operate in individual ports, such as tugs, or on ? xed in emission control areas (ECAs). Now the focus is shifting to short routes, such as ferries. Increasing pressure to reduce air greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly carbon dioxide emissions will continue, but the concept of zero emissions is (CO2). Currently, the emphasis in the shipping sector is on ef? - a myth. ciency measurement and goal setting. GHG emission standards, To create energy necessary for propulsion, energy has to be though, are beginning to follow the path laid by SOx and NOx. expended somewhere else. Energy creation can be done at a

One promising approach to reducing harmful air emissions re? nery; in an LNG, hydrogen, or ammonia plant; or at an is to power vessels by means other than the traditional die- electrical generation facility. Even solar panels and wind tur- sel engine. Lique? ed natural gas (LNG) is the current lead- bines require energy (and possibly exotic elements and chemi- ing choice as an alternative. It does not emit either SOx or cals) for production. Pollution can be minimized and better

NOx, but it does emit CO2. Efforts to utilize either hydrogen controlled, but it cannot be fully eliminated.

16 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • May 2021

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